Quitting is easy... staying on is the challenge

It is so easy to just quit and let it all slide!!
So easy....
What's not so easy is dealing with the consequences!!

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Started in Singapore, finished in New Delhi....

The best part of this book was the beginning. When you start reading about The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, you just get enveloped into a new land and want to read more about Daniel's life, Victor Hugo's pen and Barcelona. The book comes together so perfectly, that you start believing that the author must be some born-again Buddhist who personifies karma and the circle of re-birth in his writings.

I don't know Spanish, but the English version of Zafon's book was wonderful. I finally finished it on the October 2 long weekend in 2014. And I'm so glad that I came across this beautiful book. My next Spanish author is Marquez. I'm not sure when I'll be finishing his 100 Years, but that book is so well written that I thank God for such talented authors in our midst.

And that I have access to them all!! 

Data mining

So I'm reading a book called "Numerati" which is all about the world of analytics and data... then I came across an article in the Business Standard about how "data scientists" were earning millions because companies like Walmart were interested in seeing patterns in buying behavior.

Manipulation of buyers is frequent... but what you want to avoid are the barnacles, that in turn take advantage of the free deals without contributing in return. So it's like people like me, who have a credit card but always pay before the deadline... hence never having to avail of credit in the first place!! I love credit cards btw,... It makes life so interesting!! And online shopping so much fun!!

Deviations though are common - so let me get back to my main theme. Am I a predictable buyer? Well Yes, and No. Every weekend, I visit the grocery store, and buy my veggies and household provisions for the week. Every other day, I buy 3 L of milk and some bread.

I really don't have that much else. It's good to have a mini-supermarket behind the house, particularly when you want to make pizza at home.

I hardly spend on anything else, except my dry cleaning. Rest all goes in sundry expenses....

Even if there are deals in the store, I remain loyal to my brands. Particularly Amul.

What will data miners do about me? How will companies manipulate me? They can try... but the thing about manipulation is when you know it is happening... you won't be party to it!! 

Lies

What does one do about liars?

How can someone look another person straight in the face and lie and lie and lie.

It amazes me.

I hope to God Karma exists. Please exist. Because without that, I am losing hope in this world. 

Actualizing Self

There are some lectures that really do change you. I had one such lecturer in my recent program, who helped push me.

I am glad to say that because of that... I pushed myself and did quite well. 

So go out and live. Breathe and remember, all will be fine. 

All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them. ~Walt Disney

16 May 2014 The Day India Changed

Well Election results are out and .......
it was as expected....
16 May 2014 will go down as the day India changed.
Surprisingly it reminded me a lot about a day in 2004 in Nehru Place sitting in my old office when Congress came back to power....
So history does repeat itself - though now the parties have changed yet again.
Let us see what the future will hold!!

Astonishment is the starting point of Philosophy

Yes, what a boring way to start my blog. I am in the midst of exam preparation - for two exams... am extremely stressed and trying NOT to think about a deadline my group missed. Really got to stop worrying about missing deadlines!!
Well what has been happening. It took me two vodkas in Melbourne to stop thinking about the B- grade I got in one paper. But let us not let that define how I operate. I am not all about studies!!
Paper presentation at Melbourne went good - even though I was all alone it was fine. I think I didn't speak to fast (reason why I got the B- btw). I even got a question at the end!!
I liked the conference. It was thought provoking. I liked the Italian (?) who spoke at the plenary on the second day. I liked what he said "Astonishment is the starting point of Philosophy". Imagine, starting a speech with that. He linked it up to the absence of borders in Europe and how amazing it was that the younger generation had no idea what border controls looked like and didn't have the privilege of waiting for hours to get immigration clearance. I was reminded of "Shadow Lines" by Amitav Ghosh - one of my favourite books that I haven't thought of in a long time but did in the middle of Melbourne in a crowded lecture room.
Am looking forward to meeting my husband and baby soon. In fact, I am so traumatized by recent experiences and the meanness of people that I would just like not to be ignored for once. At least my baby and husband love me!!
Smooches to them.
I have also fallen in love with this song called "Wings" by a band called "Birdy". Absolutely love it. I think I am in love with the lyrics. It's like poetry.
Well, let me get back to my microeconomics. I wouldn't call it soul destroying, but sometimes it comes quite close.

Girls night out on Arab Street

Following a bout of bad luck and my superstitious nature, I ventured to Arab Street in Singapore with a fellow friend to track down a nazar from Turkey. It is my expert opinion that I am being tracked by an evil eye and I need the blue glass to counter it.
My friend humours me - though she believes I am mad as well. How can forces of the universe converge in such a manner? Merely bad thoughts do not influence how another person behaves. Sheer nonsense.
I have given her enough food for thought though.  We have met twice at Raffles MRT station - in the middle of a throng of at least 10,000 people. The first meeting was purely a case of serendipity - with me scrounging around in my purse for my MRT card and her walking through the turnpike at exactly the same time. If you know Raffles MRT - you know that the chances of two people accidently bumping into eachother at 9 in the morning on a weekday are very rare.
The second was me coming out of the MRT EXACTLY where she was standing. How bizarre is that??
Surely not enough to make you believe you need nazars - but heck... she did buy two in the end!!
:)
The three of us always have a girl's night out once a month. We let our hair down (literally) - in fact I also wash my hair for the occasion!! Shamedly I am extremely unkempt these days!! We visited a nice pub/restaurant and had a great time.... after one glass of wine I was pretty much sloshed.... After four I can't imagine!!

Lo Hei - The Prosperity Toss

It has been over a year since I last posted in my blog! So much happens and I just don't write!!
So in the midst of a public policy assignment, I will take a few minutes to document Lo Hei - The Prosperity Toss that we did yesterday at a friend's house in Singapore during the Chinese New Year festivities. What did I learn?
1. Nice to have a community feeling being fostered!! After all, we are all in this together - whether it be a class, or friends, or family
2. Need to eat more salad this year!!
You also make a wish during the ceremony. It is all symbolic: asking for wealth, prosperity, good health, progress, youth, good luck, prosperity, sweetness...
I'm so glad we did this!! It was a good way to reinforce what we thought of during the New Year!!